Active ingredient
- prednisolone
Legal Category
POM: Prescription only medicine
POM: Prescription only medicine
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet are: PL 16853/0093, PL 16853/0092.
Prednisolone Gastro-resistant tablets
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Prednisolone
Gastro-resistant tablets
Prednisolone Leaflet – Headlines
Now read the rest of this leaflet. It includes other important information on the safe and effective use of this medicine that might be especially important for you.
This leaflet was last revised in August 2017.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Prednisolone is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Prednisolone
3. How to take Prednisolone
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Prednisolone
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Prednisolone is and what it is used for
Prednisolone belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. Their full name is corticosteroids. These corticosteroids occur naturally in the body, and help to maintain health and well-being. Boosting your body with extra corticosteroid (such as prednisolone) is an effective way to treat various illnesses involving inflammation in the body. Prednisolone reduces this inflammation, which could otherwise go on making your condition worse. You must take this medicine regularly to get maximum benefit from it.
Prednisolone is used in a wide range of inflammatory and auto-immune conditions including:
Also:
2. What you need to know before you take Prednisolone
Check with your doctor first
If either of these applies to you, talk to a doctor before taking prednisolone.
Do not take Prednisolone if you:
Warnings and precautions
Before you take prednisolone tell your doctor if you:
Children and adolescents
The use of steroids can slow down normal growth of children and adolescents. Your doctor may need to stop treatment or adjust the dose for your child accordingly.
If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take prednisolone.
Other medicines and Prednisolone
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any of the following medicines as they may affect, or be affected by prednisolone:
Prednisolone with food and drink
Prednisolone should be swallowed with water. You can take prednisolone before or after a meal.
Avoid eating liquorice whilst taking Prednisolone.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you must tell your doctor before you start the treatment.
If you are breast-feeding you must tell your doctor before you start the treatment. Your doctor will want to examine your baby during your time of treatment. Small amounts of steroids are present in breast milk.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
If you feel dizzy or tired after taking prednisolone do not drive or operate machinery until these effects have worn off.
Prednisolone contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. How to take Prednisolone
Always take Prednisolone exactly as your doctor has told you to. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Different illnesses require different doses of prednisolone. Depending on your illness your daily dose may be between 5 and 60 mg. In some cases you may be instructed to take it every other day. Your doctor will decide when and how to treat you with prednisolone.
Once your condition starts to get better, your doctor may change your dosage to a lower one. Your doctor may also reduce your dosage before stopping treatment completely. This may depend on your illness, your dosage and how long you have been taking this medicine. In all cases you should be careful to follow any changes.
Stopping taking Prednisolone: It is important to discuss your treatment with your doctor before stopping treatment. Sudden stopping of treatment can cause the following symptoms: fever, painful muscles and joints, inflammation of the eyes and nasal passages, painful and itchy skin lumps, loss of weight.
Treatment of children: The use of steroids can slow down normal growth of children and adolescents. In order to lessen this effect the tablets are often taken in a single dose every other day.
Treatment of the elderly: When steroids are taken by elderly patients some of the unwanted side effects can be more serious especially brittle bone disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, infections and thinning of the skin.
Whilst you are taking Prednisolone, if any of the following occur tell your doctor straight away:
Your doctor will give you a steroid treatment card. You must carry it with you at all times. You should show your steroid treatment card to anyone who is giving you treatment such as a doctor, nurse or dentist.
Mental problems while taking Prednisolone
Mental health problems can happen while taking steroids like prednisolone (see also Section 4 Possible side effects).
Talk to a doctor if you (or someone taking this medicine), show any signs of mental problems. This is particularly important if you are depressed, or might be thinking about suicide. In a few cases, mental problems have happened when doses are being lowered or stopped.
What to do if you take more Prednisolone than you should
If you accidentally take too many prednisolone tablets or someone else takes any of your medicine, you should tell your doctor at once or contact your nearest accident and emergency department. Show any left-over medicines or the empty packet to the doctor.
If you forget to take Prednisolone
Do not worry. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time to take the next dose. Do not take a double dose. Then go on as before.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Do not worry. Like all medicines, prednisolone can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Stop taking Prednisolone and contact your doctor straight away if the following allergic reaction happens:
Serious effects: tell a doctor straight away
Steroids including prednisolone can cause serious mental health problems. These are common in both adults and children. They can affect about 5 in every 100 people taking medicines like prednisolone.
If you notice any of these problems talk to a doctor straight away.
Other side effects you may experience:
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the internet at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Prednisolone
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not take Prednisolone after the expiry date which is stated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store below 25°C. Keep your medicine in a dry place.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist on how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Prednisolone contains
The active ingredient in this medicine is prednisolone.
The other ingredients are: calcium carbonate, lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide (E171), purified talc, lecithin, xanthan gum (E415), polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene glycol sorbitan tristearate, silica gel, polyethylene glycol stearate, benzoic acid (E210), sulfuric acid, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, polyethylene glycol, sodium hydrogen carbonate, triethyl citrate, purified stearic acid, sodium alginate (E401), colloidal silicon dioxide, methylcellulose (E461), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, beeswax (E901), carnauba wax (E903), polysorbate 20 (E432) and sorbic acid (E200).
The Prednisolone 5 mg tablet also contains carmine (E120) and indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132).
The Prednisolone 2.5 mg tablet contains iron oxide (E172).
What Prednisolone looks like and contents of the pack
Prednisolone tablets come in two strengths.
Prednisolone 2.5 mg is a brown tablet.
Prednisolone 5 mg is a maroon tablet.
They are gastro-resistant tablets.
Prednisolone tablets come in packs of 30 or 100 tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
The product licence holder is:
Prednisolone is manufactured by:
The information in this leaflet applies only to prednisolone. If you have any questions or you are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or a pharmacist.
This leaflet was last revised in August 2017.
Alliance and associated devices are registered trademarks of Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited
© Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited 2017.
Prednisolone gastro-resistant tablets PIL UK 012
Avonbridge House, Bath Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2BB
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